Cristiano Ronaldo’s early goal put Madrid in the driving seat from the get-go, and despite Karim Benzema possibly being offside for Los Blancos’ second, Keylor Navas was at his impenetrable best to thwart Malaga.

Zinedine Zidane named an unchanged side from the one that beat Celta Vigo 4-1 midweek, with Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal still absent.

That meant Isco was back on his former stomping ground, playing in the hole behind Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, Malaga – coached by Madrid legend Michel Gonzalez – had won six of their last eight games and were spearheaded in attack by former Barcelona striker Sandro Ramirez.

Needing just a point to clinch the title, Luis Hernandez’s misjudged clearance fell straight to Isco, who sent Ronaldo through on goal. The Portuguese then rounded Carlos Kameni for the dream start.

That wasn’t to say Malaga weren’t without their chances as Sandro had a free kick hit the target. However, it was tipped around the post by Keylor.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, had a close-range strike pushed away by Kameni, before another Sandro shot was deflected just over by Keko.

Yet just as the Andalusians were growing in momentum, Ramos’ shot from a corner was saved but only went as far as Raphael Varane, who nodded the ball back into the penalty area for Benzema to tuck away, although the striker appeared just off.

Malaga’s heads refused to drop, to their credit, and Keko’s towering header forced another save from Keylor.

Kameni then pushed away a curler from substitute Alvaro Morata and a point-blank Luka Modric finish, but the save of the evening fell to the Cameroonian’s opposite number, who flung Chory Castro’s thunderous drive onto the crossbar.